Loving Right Now: 5 Safer Skincare Products

August 22, 2017

As you know, I gladly sacrifice my dermal integrity and the stability of my budget on a regular basis to test out beauty products, because hey, everyone needs to feel like they are contributing in some meaningful way to this world, and if that means randomly breaking out in hives to do so, I’m your girl.

In today’s Beauty Roundup, these are five tending-natural products that I’ve been loving lately that I thought I would share with you all.

Let’s start the countdown…

Beautycounter Protect Stick Sunscreen SPF 30

Being a Florida transplant who didn’t grow up in the sunshine, but who is experiencing its daily skin-melting, hair-frizzing, brown-spot-producing power in its full glory, every day, makes me more grateful than ever for good, portable sunscreen.

Although I use this little beauty mainly on the backs of my hands while I’m out and about (no one wants a smooth face and old lady hands!), I have also been known to use it on my face too–like, smearing it right on my cheeks and around my mouth (where I seem to get the most pesky brown spots) when I need an SPF touchup. And guys, even when I’ve applied it over top of my makeup, it never broke me out. Crazy town. I dig this stuff, big time.

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream

This cream brightens with papaya enzymes and alpha arbutin, and the effect you get is brighter skin without harsh ingredients. The texture of this cream is lighter–more like a gel than a heavy moisturizer–which means it’s great in humid or hot climates. This guy will give your skin a light dose of moisture without feeling too heavy.

So what about the cleanliness factor? It’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates and gluten. And it’s also listed as vegan and gluten-free (although I never understood the concern of skincare having gluten… I have this vision of someone trying to push a bagel through someone’s pores… Anyhow, moving on!) Full disclosure: It does have fragrance on its ingredient list, so this can’t be considered full-on “clean,” but it’s toward the end of the list.

Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil

There is only so much love one can profess for an inanimate object without sounding like a Total Weirdo, but I will risk that title and take the opportunity once again to tell you how much I freakin’ love this cleanser.

When I worked in TV and wore GOBS of makeup (yes, all caps necessary, because seriously GOBS), this was the only cleanser I used, and it seriously took down all the makeup–eye and face–like a big, oily boss. Like, this stuff is legit.

Formulated without “mineral oil, synthetic colors or fragrances [Sonni’s note: No synthetic fragrances, but it does list “fragrance” as an ingredient, which I’m side-eyeing just a bit, but whatevs, I still love this stuff], sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates, this, in my opinion, is on the safer side of beauty products. Therefore, #upvote.

Don’t forget: This goes on a dry face. Don’t splash water on first! … Hands off the faucet now! I’m watching you…

Drunk Elephant Marula Oil

Putting this oil on after your toner and before your moisturizer really locks in softness. Lots of people like to apply facial oil after moisturizer, but I’ve gotten better results in softness and moisture by putting it on first.

I have been really happy with the performance of this oil. I’ve paired this with many a nighttime moisturizer and have woken up every time to glowing and moisturized skin.

Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Cleanser

I’ve written about this cleanser before, when I first tried Beautycounter products, and it remains a favorite of mine. It’s strong enough to remove makeup, but gentle enough that it doesn’t strip your skin. In fact, after you wash, your skin actually feels a tad softer. I don’t know how this works but I’m not here to ask any questions.

That’s it for now! Any natural and safer products you swear by? I’d love to hear all about them in Comments below!

Sonni Abatta runs an Orlando lifestyle and mom blog, and if she continues to test out products like this, she will also be running out of money. Reach out with feedback, freak-outs and fun ideas to Sonni@SonniAbatta.com.